Slow Cooker Bbq Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

Recipe Introduction
Ever get that craving for proper BBQ, but can't face firing up the grill? Same here! That's when I turn to crockpot meals easy like this slow cooker BBQ pulled chicken .
Honestly, it's pure comfort food, with that smoky, sweet, tangy BBQ flavor.
Quick Hook
Craving BBQ but dread the effort? This crockpot meals easy version delivers all the flavor with none of the fuss! Its sweet and savory BBQ flavor is guaranteed to be a hit.
Brief Overview
Pulled chicken is an American classic. This easy chicken recipes version simplifies everything. Just dump and go ! It takes about 6- 8 hours on low or 3- 4 hours on high.
This recipe makes about 6 generous sandwiches.
Main Benefits
This recipe is great for those watching their macros. It is packed with protein, making it a filling and satisfying weeknight dinners .
It is special because it's completely hands off. Perfect for a lazy dinner ideas . This is one of the best fix and forget meals out there.
Right, let's get into the good stuff: what you'll need.
Get That Chicken Ready
Here is the complete ingredient list.
- 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 medium onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 teaspoon)
- 240ml (1 cup) ketchup
- 120ml (1/2 cup) apple cider vinegar
- 60ml (1/4 cup) Worcestershire sauce
- 60ml (1/4 cup) brown sugar, packed
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp mustard powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Hamburger buns, for serving
- Coleslaw, for serving (optional)
Let's Talk About the Gear
Here is the list of equipment you'll need.
- 6-quart slow cooker (crockpot)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Chopping board and knife
- Small mixing bowl
- Fork
Now, onto the fun part! Time to put it all together. And trust me, with a slow cooker, it is like the world of easy slow cooker meals for beginners
Alright, let's chat about what you need for some killer crockpot meals easy , focusing on this slow cooker pulled chicken sandwiches recipe. Don't worry, it is dead simple.
Ingredients & Equipment Deets
This bit is essential, right? You need to know what to grab from the shops! These easy chicken recipes are so good, they are worth it.
Main Ingredients: The Stars of the Show
- 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
- 1 medium onion, chopped (about 1 cup).
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 teaspoon).
- 240ml (1 cup) ketchup.
- 120ml (1/2 cup) apple cider vinegar.
- 60ml (1/4 cup) Worcestershire sauce.
- 60ml (1/4 cup) brown sugar, packed.
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika.
- 1 tsp mustard powder.
- 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Hamburger buns, for serving.
- Coleslaw, for serving (optional, but trust me, it's good).
For the chicken, go for thighs. Honestly, crockpot chicken thighs recipes is the way to go because they stay juicy and tender in the slow cooker .
Look for thighs that are plump and have a nice, pink colour. Avoid any that look pale or have a weird smell.
Seasoning Notes: Flavor Town, Population: You!
The magic is in the spice combo. Smoked paprika gives it that lovely smoky bbq pulled chicken flavour. I mean a real bbq pulled chicken that taste like a bonfire.
The mustard powder adds a bit of tang and depth. You could try to spice this up with some cayenne pepper!.
You can experiment!
Don't have apple cider vinegar? White vinegar or lemon juice will do in a pinch. Not got brown sugar? Don't worry honey or maple syrup works well.
Equipment Needed: Keepin' It Simple
- A 6-quart slow cooker (crockpot) – essential for easy slow cooker meals for beginners .
- Measuring cups and spoons.
- Chopping board and knife.
- Small mixing bowl.
- Fork.
That is it, honestly! You don't need fancy gadgets for these dump and go crockpot recipes . If you don't have a crockpot, you are missing out! But if you really can't, a large heavy bottomed pot in the oven on a very low heat might work, but it is not the same.
This will be the star of all you weeknight dinners . And of all of you lazy dinner ideas . These kind of fix and forget meals are amazing!
Right then, let's have a crack at making slow cooker BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches . These are proper crockpot meals easy to whip up, perfect for when you fancy something tasty but can’t be arsed to stand over a hob all night.
Honestly, it's one of the easy slow cooker meals for beginners . It's proper lush!
Prep Steps
First things first, mise en place . Sounds fancy, doesn't it? It just means getting everything prepped before you start. Chop your onion, mince the garlic, and get all your ingredients measured out.
Makes life so much easier.
Time saving tip: You can chop the onion the night before and stick it in a container in the fridge. This one of my lazy dinner ideas , honestly.
Safety Reminder: Now, while this recipe is fairly safe, always wash your hands after handling raw chicken. Don't want any nasty bugs spoiling your bonfire in a bun.
Easy step-by-step Process
Alright, follow these steps, and you'll be laughing:
- Trim any excess fat from the 1.5 kg chicken thighs .
- Whisk together the 240ml ketchup , 120ml apple cider vinegar , 60ml Worcestershire sauce , 60ml brown sugar , 1 tbsp smoked paprika , 1 tsp mustard powder , and pepper .
- Pop the chopped onion in your slow cooker .
- Place the chicken on top.
- Pour over that delicious BBQ sauce .
- Cook on low for 6- 8 hours , or high for 3- 4 hours . The internal temperature should reach 165° F ( 74° C) .
- Shred with two forks. The chicken should fall apart easily if you make it right, promise!
- Stir the shredded chicken back into the sauce.
Pro Tips for Crockpot Chicken Thighs Recipes
- Don’t overcook! It will dry out even in a slow cooker . Start checking for doneness around 6 hours on low, or 3 hours on high.
- Thicken that sauce! Remove the lid in the last hour of cooking. This helps it reduce. For a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water and stir this into the slow cooker in the last 30 minutes.
- If you fancy making it ahead of time, the shredded chicken can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just reheat it thoroughly before serving. This is proper useful when you're doing a weeknight dinners .
And there you have it, bbq pulled chicken that's easy chicken recipes . It's perfect for slow cooker pulled chicken sandwiches and is totally dump and go crockpot recipes .
You can find hundreds of slow cooker recipes online, but this is my go-to. It's so fix and forget meals .
Honestly, you can't go wrong with this one, and don't even worry to screw the pooch, the ingredients are so simple.
Get stuck in, you know?
Right then, let's get down to brass tacks with some recipe notes for our easy chicken recipes ! These little nuggets of info will help you nail this dish.
Cooking slow cooker recipes shouldn't be a headache.
Recipe Notes to Nail That BBQ Pulled Chicken
Serving Suggestions: Plating Like a Pro
Listen, presentation matters. Heap that gorgeous bbq pulled chicken high on toasted brioche buns. Add a dollop of homemade coleslaw.
It looks the business, yeah? A side of crispy sweet potato fries never hurt anyone either. Wash it all down with an ice-cold glass of lemonade.
Perfect.
Storing Like a Champ
Got leftovers? No worries, chuck that leftover slow cooker pulled chicken sandwiches in an airtight container. It'll keep in the fridge for up to three days.
Want to freeze it? Go for it! It'll last for a good couple of months. When you're ready, defrost it overnight in the fridge.
Then reheat it gently on the hob, or even in the microwave. Easy peasy.
Adaptations: Making it Your Own
Fancy a lighter version? Use honey instead of brown sugar. Boom, you've got a easy slow cooker meals for beginners .
Want to go low carb ? Serve the pulled chicken in lettuce wraps instead of buns. Feeling wild? Add a pinch of chilli flakes to the BBQ sauce for a kick.
Seasonal changes? This recipe is fantastic all year round!.
Nutrition Bits
Okay, let's be real. This isn't exactly health food. But it's packed with protein! You need that after a long day.
One portion clocks in around 450 calories. Each serving has 40 grams of protein. 15 grams of fat. And 35 grams of carbs.
It's all about balance, innit?
This is definitely one of my favourite dump and go crockpot recipes .
So there you have it, a classic take on a fix and forget meals . Now get in the kitchen and get cooking some crockpot meals easy ! Seriously, it’s one of those lazy dinner ideas that everyone loves! And if you end up making some delicious crockpot chicken thighs recipes , don't forget to let me know how it goes!
You can easily adapt it to create weeknight dinners .
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really make proper BBQ pulled chicken that's actually dead easy using crockpot meals easy recipes?
Absolutely! This Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken recipe is practically foolproof. Just chuck everything in, set it, and forget it (almost!). The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, giving you tender, flavourful chicken without any of the fuss. It's proper scran, even your nan could make it!
What's the best way to store leftover pulled chicken, and how long does it last?
Leftover pulled chicken is brilliant for meal prepping! Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze it for longer storage (up to 2-3 months). Make sure to let it cool completely before refrigerating or freezing.
Think of the possibilities: leftover sarnies, jacket potato filling, or even in a wrap! Cheers!
Is there a way to thicken the BBQ sauce in the slow cooker without using cornstarch? I'm watching my carbs, see.
Good on ya for watching the carbs, mate! Instead of cornstarch, try removing the lid during the last 30-60 minutes of cooking and letting the sauce reduce naturally on high heat. This concentrates the flavours and thickens the sauce.
Another option is to simmer the sauce on the stove after cooking, then add the shredded chicken. You could also mash a small portion of the cooked chicken into the sauce as a natural thickener.
Can I use frozen chicken in these easy crockpot meals?
While it might be tempting to just throw frozen chicken straight in, it's generally not recommended for food safety reasons. Frozen chicken can take too long to reach a safe internal temperature in the slow cooker, increasing the risk of bacteria growth.
Thaw your chicken completely in the fridge before adding it to the slow cooker for best results and peace of mind. Nobody wants a dodgy tummy!
What if I want to spice things up a bit? Any suggestions for making this crockpot meals easy recipe a bit more exciting?
Fancy a bit of a kick? I got you, bruv! To add some heat, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of your favourite hot sauce to the BBQ sauce mixture. You could also add some chopped jalapeños or a spoonful of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
For a smoky depth of flavour, a dash of liquid smoke can do the trick. Now you're cooking with gas!
Is this BBQ pulled chicken recipe healthy? What can I do to make it a bit better for me?
This recipe can be part of a balanced diet, but let's tweak it a bit! Opt for leaner chicken cuts like chicken breast (although thighs are more flavourful and forgiving). Reduce the amount of brown sugar or use a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup sparingly.
Serve it on wholemeal buns with a generous portion of coleslaw to get your greens in! Remember, moderation is key even with a belter of a recipe like this.
Slow Cooker Bbq Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 450 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 15g |
| Fiber | 3g |